NWLC Statement on Oral Arguments in Moore v. United States

Washington, DC – The U.S. Supreme Court today heard oral arguments in the case Moore v. United States, which is challenging the constitutionality of a one-time tax on the profits of a foreign investment.

The petitioners in the case are also asking the Court to go further and rule that future legislative efforts to tax billionaires are unconstitutional, which could limit the government’s ability to raise revenue for critical priorities, including child care, disability care, affordable housing, and more.

See below for a statement from Amy Royce, Senior Counsel for Income Security at the National Women’s Law Center (NWLC):

“We’re encouraged that the Justices kept today’s focus largely on the specific tax that the Moores are challenging, rather than adopting the petitioners’ dangerous legal theory wholesale. While it was troubling that some of the questioning from the conservative Justices involved hypothetical future legal questions that are not before the Court, we would expect the Court’s decision to address the narrow question of the specific tax that the Moores wrongly assert is unconstitutional.

“Ultimately, it’s Congress’ role – not the courts’ – to shape the tax code. That is why we will continue to urge lawmakers to take the commonsense step of taxing the ultrarich, which will help create an economy that works for everyone, not just billionaires.”

NWLC is a national leader in the intersection between the tax code and advancing gender justice priorities. Ahead of today’s oral arguments, NWLC published an op-ed in Ms. Magazine, as well as a blog post, outlining its concerns over this case and the potential impact it could have on the government’s ability to raise revenue and invest in the priorities that are important to women and families.

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